Chocolate caramel pecan 'pretzel' pastries - Sticks of Awesomeliciousness

I found these pastries the other day while I was walking through the supermarket. Ohh I thought to myself, they kinda look like pretzel sticks,  well not really but they were sticks so y'know I had to buy them and see what I could make.

As it happened it was the week after Father's day and I had some of the ingredients left over from making Snicker's Fudge.

Yeah, you know where this is going, although I switched it up a little and used pecans and made a turtle version of dipped 'pretzel' sticks and you guessed it they taste pretty awesome.

Then because they tasted so good I made some more with salted peanuts instead of the caramel and they tasted just as (or maybe even more) awesome. In fact they are so good I wanted to call them something like awesomelicious sticks except pretty much that sounds a teensy bit weird. But then I was all like they totally are sticks of awesomeliciousness and no one is gonna care what I call them once they try them.

But if your weirded out by the name maybe call them turtle sticks, cause that is way more normal ;)

Anyhoo back to those pastries they are like a puff pastry twisted together brushed with sugar, I'm guessing you could probably make it yourself pretty easy, but they were like $3 for a pack of 18 in the self serve deli area at the local supermarket*.

Or you could use actual pretzel sticks for a similar result with these instructions, they are mostly just the vehicles for chocolate, caramel and nuts so pretty much your choice what you use :)

Oh and before we get to the instructions, I shared my kids current fav treat in the latest issue of 'Tickle the Imagination' Magazine, which happens to be the kids issue. Seriously I am to-to in love with some of the shoots/ photo stories, eek even sweeter than my recipes! CLICK HERE to pop on over and see it all.

Awesomeliciousness Sticks
Salted Peanuts can be used in place of pecans. Dipped pastries can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. In warm weather you may wish to store the container in the fridge. You can add 25g copha (7/8 oz paramount crystals) to the chocolate during the melting process if you wish to make the mixture more fluid and easier to dip, however it is not essential.

12 pastry sticks or pretzels*
300 g hard/chewy caramel (10 1/2 oz) - (the caramels are like the square ones in the pictures eg pascal columbines)
25g cream(7/8 oz)
1 1/2 cups roughly chopped raw pecans
300 g milk chocolate (10 1/2 oz milk chocolate)


Line a tray with parchment/ baking paper.

Place the chopped nuts into a shallow plate.

Place ingredients into microwave safe dish and microwave at high for 30 seconds, stir and microwave for further 30 seconds at high. #note the caramel will be very very hot - do not get any on you, use an oven glove or something similar to handle then bowl and do not not even think about licking the spoon while it is hot, seriously, no mater how tempting it seems.

Dip the pastries into the caramel, I then used a spoon to spread it 3/4 of the way up the stick. Allow any excess caramel to drip off, quickly dip into the chopped nuts and roll gently to cover lightly in nuts. Place onto the prepared tray to set.

Repeat for all remaining pastry sticks. Work quickly, if the caramel starts to thicken, return to the microwave for 10 seconds at high.

Allow the caramel to set, when set you should be able to peel/remove from the baking/parchment paper without it sticking.

Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe dish at medium for 2 minutes stir and then heat for another 1 - 2 minutes at medium heat. The mixture should be smooth and lump free. Dip the caramel/nut covered sticks into the chocolate, use a spoon to help cover 3/4 of the way up so the caramel and nuts are all encased in chocolate.

Place chocolate dipped pastries back onto the parchment/baking paper lined trays to set.

*I my pastry sticks were 'Le Sfogliatine' I picked up at Woolworths (Brisbane, Australia).

Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores:

Link to Amazon:

Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go! 

Or at Fishpond (free shipping Australia)

 

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